Given the expected heat I’m wondering about everyone’s hydration strategy. The aid stations are spaced such that two bottles and no pack is doable. Im planning on starting with two on my bike and a third frozen one in my jersey that I can fill up as needed. Carrying the extra weight and heat of a pack doesn’t sound fun.
It’s my first ORAMM but I’ve done a few other of Blue ridge adventures races.
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If you’re looking for a PR as opposed to a podium, may I recommend a conservative pacing strategy, especially during the first 1/3 of the race? Guaranteed to have a better last half of your race if you don’t sweat getting balled up through the first couple of gates, or on the switchbacks on Kitsuma. It’s hard to employ, but not getting wrapped up in the start is a good idea for most racers this day. There is so much time and opportunity to pass folks on this course, it makes zero sense to become “that guy” through the gates and up Kitsuma. I have some funny stories about guys being jerks up Kitsuma, elbowing by me to get one spot ahead of the congo line, only to get passed immediately when the trail turned DH.
Enjoy and good luck!
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Yeah definitely planning to not sweat the bottle neck the first time up kitsuma. There’ll be plenty of climbing later to let it thin out. Anyone who’s with me on that climb isn’t gonna podium. I’m shooting for the 6-7 hour range
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That’s plenty fast! Good luck!
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I will be a bit behind you. Unless I have an amazing day. But my plan is to see how I feel in the last 15-20 miles vs the first 5 miles. 
. Slow and steady wins the race. Haha. Again I ain’t winning nothing but a personal goal. The Tortoise and the Hare.
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One large bottle and a 70 ml USWE hydration pack. Really good pack that is light, well ventilated and does not bounce. Too long of an event for me to go without and too sketchy in some areas to reach for a bottle. Packs don’t bother me and I need the room for food, a spare tube, 2oz bottle of Stan’s and other small but sometimes really important things.
How’d y’all do? I learned I can’t predicted my finishing times at all and grossly overestimated my speed- 8:30 finish. Beyond that a good long day on the bike. The Curtis creek climb is a character building experience.
The real glory was making it down the rock staircase in front of the hecklers. (And being able to drive after)
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Also missed my predicted time. Finished! I lost more time than I thought in rest areas. 8:55 finish. Yes Curtis was a different animal. I was very surprised by how hard that was.
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